Khan granted visa

Amir Khan has finally been cleared to fight Paulie Malignaggi in New York next weekend after being granted a visa.

The WBA light-welterweight champion has been stuck in Vancouver, Canada for more than a week due to administrative problems which prevented his entry to the United States.

Khan has been based largely in America since joining up with Los Angeles trainer Freddie Roach in 2008, but preparations for his debut fight across the Atlantic have been hindered by problems reportedly arising from his past driving convictions in Britain. A statement from his American handlers Golden Boy Promotions, however, confirmed he will head to New York on Sunday after the problem was cleared up.

"After an administrative delay which caused a temporary relocation of his training camp from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada, Amir Khan has received his P1 visa and will be heading to New York City as originally scheduled on Sunday in order to defend his title against hometown hero Paulie Malignaggi at the Theater in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, May 15."

Khan (22-1, 16KOs) said: "This is great news and I can't wait to get to New York to finish up my training, get in the ring next Saturday and teach Paulie Malignaggi a lesson.

"He's been running his mouth for a while now and was probably hoping I wouldn't get into New York. Well, Paulie, I'm on my way and you're going to be my next knockout victim on May 15."